Foot massaging machine



FOOT MASSAGING MACHINE I Filed Sept. 17, 1946 5-Sheets-Sheet 1 llZZZiwm ,dazzdow Afro/r Mfrs.

July 15, 1947. w. SANDOW FOOT MASSAGING MACHINE Filed Sept. 17, 1946 3 Shets-Sheec 2 illz'izm July 15, 1947. w, s ow 2,424,120

' FOOT MASSAGING MACHINE Filed Sept. 17, 1,946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 William ,Jand'ozu ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 15, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOOT MASSAGING MACHINE William Sandow, Livonia, N. Y. Application September 17, 1946, Serial No. 697,524

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a massaging machine especially designed for use in stimulating the normal circulation, by relieving the congestion in the various nerve endings in the feet.

An important object of the invention is to provide a massaging machine of this character which will impart a kneading movement to that portion of the foot being massaged, with the result that a particular muscle or muscle group will be subjected to pressing and wringing or rolling action, to the end that the muscles and joints of the foot as well as the surrounding tissues, will be so manipulated that circulation will be restored.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of part hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view through a massaging machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the machine, parts thereof being shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the machine embodies a base 5 which is formed with a marginal upstanding flange 6.

Rising from the base 5, are bearing standards 'i and 8, the bearing standards 1 and 8 being formed with bearing openings to receive the bearing races 9 in which the ends of the shaft [0 operate, the shaft 10 constituting the main shaft of the machine, and on which the rollers H are mounted.

These rollers H are constructed of any desired material, such as plastic, hard rubber or the like, and each roller is provided with a concentric opening for the reception of the bearings H which are formed with eccentrically disposed openings in which the shaft i0 is positioned. Fins l3 extend through the bearings l2 and shaft l0, securing the bearings to the shaft.

As clearly shown by Fig. 2 of the drawings, a plurality of these rollers are provided on the shaft, the number of rollers being preferably six. However, it is to be understood that the number of rollers may be varied, to meet various requirements of use.

On one end of the shaft 10, is a gear M which meshes with the gear l5 that in turn is mounted on the shaft IE on which the gear I! is secured. The gear 1'! meshes with the gear I8 that extends from the substantially large gear l9 that in turn meshes with the gear 20 mounted on the motor shaft 2i, the motor being indicatedby the reference character 22.

The gearing is mounted in a frame supported within the gear housin 23, the frame embodying rings 24 which are held spaced apart by means of the connecting pins 25.

Mounted directly under the rollers, i a variable speed motor switch 26 which may be operated by pressure directed thereto by the foot positioned on the rollers.

The rollers, which, because of the bearings, are eccentrically mounted, are staggered with respect to each other, so that when the shaft 10 is rotated, the rollers will impart a kneading action to that portion of the foot being massaged.

It will also be' noted that a person using the machine may exert various degrees of pressure on the foot to vary the kneading result.

It will be also seen that the operator may mOVe the foot in various positions over the rollers, and is not required to hold his foot in any set posi tion during the massaging operation.

In the use of the device, a person using the machine, completes the circuit to the motor which may be plugged into the usual house current. The person then places his foot on the rollers of the machine which are operating eccentrically with a rotary motion to impart a kneading action to the muscles of the foot.

What is claimed is:

A device of the class described, comprising an open base, a gear and motor housing, mounted at one end of the base, a main horizontal shaft mounted on the base, one end of the main shaft extending into the housing, a plurality of eccentric bearings secured to the shaft, massaging rollers having concentric bearing openings, mounted on the eccentric bearings, said bearings and rollers being so constructed and arranged that the peripheries of the rollers operate in planes offset with respect to each other as the shaft rotates, a motor and gear in the housing adapted to transmit movement to the shaft, and a foot-actuated switch mounted on the base adapted to control the operation of the motor and shaft.

WILLIAM SANDOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,577,924 Matchett et a1 Mar. 23, 1926 2,121,250 Koschwitz June 21, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 461,508 Germany June 20, 1928 663,351 Germany Aug. 4, 1938 

